Mary Louise (Brack) Arnold

Mary Louise Arnold (Brack) age 97 of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away on October 20, 2023. She is preceded in death by her husband Dean Arnold, her son John Arnold, her parents Walter and Vera Brack, and her brother Harold Brack. Mary is survived by her son Stanley (Sally) Arnold of Grand Rapids Michigan, her daughter Nena (Tony) Heitz of Grants Pass, Oregon and daughter in law Jeanie Thomas. She is also survived by five grandchildren, five great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, along with many nieces and nephews and special friends Norman and Carole Kohns.

Mary Lou was born in Dearborn, Michigan on June 23, 1926, and graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1945. Throughout her life she worked a wide variety of jobs: as a restaurant hostess, a receptionist, a bank teller, and a baker, and also partnered with her husband at their sports shop, Arnold's Field & Stream. In her heart she was a nurse and caregiver, helping many of her family and friends through difficult times. For many years she was an active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, serving as a United Methodist Women district officer and as a lay minister with Stephen Ministries.

Mary Lou's favorite pastimes were reading, writing poetry and children's stories, and sending cards to family and friends. She was a sharp player of Scrabble and Pinochle, a whiz at crossword puzzles, and baked the world's best molasses cookies.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 1:30 pm at Aldersgate United Methodist Church located at 4301 Ambrose Ave NE Grand Rapids Michigan 49525 with Rev. Jim Hodge and Rev. Norman Kohns officiating.

Mary Lou will be interred at Aldersgate’s Garden of the Pines

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Aldersgate’s Memorial Fund or to Feeding America West Michigan.

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